DIY Pencil Flower Bouquet

Teacher Appreciation Day is coming up next week and now's the time to get creating if you want to make a special handmade gift!  Today I am going to share with you how to transform plain old pencils into a beautiful bouquet just like this! And although it looks like it would take a lot of time, Core'dinations new Party Mixers make this project quick and easy! I am kind of crazy for this new set of embellishments from Core'dinations - I expect you will be seeing a lot more of them in projects from me!

Pencil Flower Bouquet Supply List:

• Party Mixers Rosette Garland Kits: Broken China, Scattered Straw, Coral, and Purple Grandeur
• Party Mixers - Paper Pops Brights
• Darice Sparkle Tape - Gold
• Darice Sparkle Tape - Silver
• Glue Gun
• Liquid Adhesive
• Pencils
• May Arts Ribbon
• Terra Cota Pot
• Rice

Step 1: Wrap Glitter Tape around the pencils to pretty up the stems.  I left about 2 inches at the bottom of the pencil so that they could be sharpened and usable if she wanted them to be used.

Step 2: Add a dot of hot glue to the eraser tip and attach a rosette there.

Step 3:  Continue to add all the Rosettes to the pencils.  I did ten total and that filled out the pot nicely.

Technique Tip: Because of the canvas texture of the Core Cardstock and the thickness these will soak up the hot glue quickly and don't need much time at all to dry.  I spent less than five minutes doing the glue part!

Step 4: Add the Paper Pops to the center of the Rosettes using a quick drying liquid adhesive.

Technique Tip: As you go through your Paper Pops package make sure you look at both sides of the Pops!  At first I wasn't sure how to use them thinking I had a lot of letters and that wasn't going to work for my flowers.  But when I flipped them over I figured out they have a cute icon on the back of each one!  Perfect for this project and so versatile!

Step 5: Add some ribbon to your pot and fill it with rice (or beans or coffee beans or something that will help hold your pencils in place)

Party Mixers made this project so easy!  I love how versatile they are and that they can be used for all kinds of celebrations!  I don't know a teacher out there who wouldn't love to receive something like this!  I think I may make one for my homework area at home!

-Christine

Exciting News

In February I was given the opportunity to Guest Design for My Creative Scrapbook!  I was excited for the opportunity as I have always loved the contents of their kits. I also have really admired many of the members of their team and their gorgeous work - so I was excited to be amongst them for the month!  Here's my favorite layout that I made that month:

I was thrilled to be offered a spot on their actual team and began that in March!  Here's one of my favorites from that month!

In April the opportunity arose for me to be the Social Media Coordinator for them! 

 As the layouts above convey - I really love working with this company!  She makes great kits and I love playing with them so I am excited to help them in the Social Media world!  

I would love for you to check them out and give them a like on Facebook and follow them on Instagram @mycreativescrapbookofficial

I guarantee no matter what your scrapbooking style you will find inspiration, sketches, and tutorials that will help fuel those creative juices!

And if you want to check out the different kit styles they offer head on over to 

My Creative Scrapbook 

and check everything out - they have options for all styles!

Scrapping Our Stash - Hand Crafted Crosses - Blog Hop & Giveaway!

Welcome to the Scrapping Our Stash Blog Hop

I have taken a couple months off because of the busy life being mom and teacher but I am back at it this month with the Scrapping Our Stash Blog Hop!  This month (and from here on out) we are inviting anyone who's interested in joining the stash busting hop to join us.  If you want to join us next month email me at practicalscrappers@gmail.com

Here's this month's Hop List

Christine http://scrappingwithchristine.blogspot.com *You Are Here*

Juliana www.17turtles.com *Head Here Next*

Katrina http://paperscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/

Laura http://scrapaddict4life.blogspot.com/

Cheryl http://patchesandscraps.blogspot.com

Cathy http://alteredplayground.blogspot.com/

Sandy http://itsafamilyaffairwithscrappynana.blogspot.ca/

Kristy http://alwaysworldaway.blogspot.com

Majken  http://chocoscrapaholic.blogspot.com 

Wendi R http://scrappydayinparadise.blogspot.com/

Wendy C www.stampingrules.com

Lee-Anne http://lee-annelovethejourney.blogspot.com

I used my project this month to make some more paper crafted crosses for a friend  If you want to check out my first post making crosses like this you can find it here.  Here's the latest additions:

I once again used a lot of products from Paper House Productions!  This one uses both their 3D stickers and their patterned paper. This one is created on a paper mache cross.  I mod podged the patterned paper on and then decorated it.

This one uses some Doodlebug Design paper for the background.  The stickers are a mix from Paper House Productions, Hobby Lobby, and MAMBI.

For this round of crosses I decided to use some Stickles on the edges.  I feel like it gave them all more of a finished look! This one is all Paper House Productions.

This last one is probably my favorite - I like the way the Stickles pop against the patterned paper!  Once again, this one is all Paper House Productions!

GIVEAWAY

As a Thank You for stopping by today I am going to do a special giveaway of the different Paper House Productions 3D stickers you see used in these crosses.  I will also add in some coordinating papers and gemstones!

You can do any or all of the following to enter:

1) Become a follower here

2) Like my Scrapping with Christine facebook page

3) Follow me on Instagram @cameyer71

And lastly leave me a comment to let me know which you have done!

This giveaway will remain open until 11:59 pm on May 3rd!  I will announce a winner within a couple days!  

Now Hop on over to the talented Juliana's Blog!

Instagram

Are you on Instagram??? 

I am and I'd love to be following you too!  Leave me a comment or find me on there and I will follow you!  

My username there is @cameyer71

And while you are at it here's where you can find some of the awesome companies I design for too!

My Creative Scrapbook: @mycreativescrapbookofficial

SRM Stickers: @srmpress

Paper House Productions: @paperhouseproductions

The Scrapbooking Studio: @thescrapbookingstudio

Core'dinations: @coredinations

See ya on Instagram

Basketball Layout - Paper House Productions

With four active kids I have ample opportunity to do layouts about sports and other leisure activities. This year has had a lot of basketball so it was the perfect opportunity to break out the new Snapshots Basketball stickers from Paper House Productions and put them to use!

I opted to go with a single picture and use the Snapshots to highlight it.  The 8 X 8 Game Day paper pad was perfect for building my base on top of plain white cardstock.  I then added my picture to the center.

I added vertical rows of the Basketball Snapshots. I competely love that these have circles, stars, and paper clips added to them - totally makes them pop all the more!

The Basketball Die Cut Sticker Pack had exactly what I needed for a title above and below the picture. I then finished it off with a little mist, wood stars, and the fabulous new Mixed Mini Sports Balls Puffy Stickers.

I am definitely loving these new stickers and can't wait to tryout some of the other topics :)

Teacher Appreciation Card Idea

Teacher Appreciation Day is coming up soon! 

May 5th is the day set aside to make sure and thank our teachers!  Now is the time to get working on those special cards for those people who take special care of your kiddos and today I am going to share with you how I used different products from SRM Stickers to make a teacher card! 

The new Chalkboard Marker makes it easy to make a personalized card! After cutting my card to be shaped like a chalkboard easel, I used the Easy Chalkboard Marker to create my own chalkboard. I then added some Abc's etc with the Bistro White Fine Tip Chalk Marker.

A "Thanks" from the Sentiment: Thank You stickers works perfectly for adding the thank you but with a different medium.  And of course what teacher card would be finished without an apple on it - the one from Quick Cards/Teacher is perfect!

Have you started your creating for this special holiday?  I'd love to see what you are making too!

My Creative Scrapbook April Sketch

The April Sketch for My Creative Scrapbook comes this month from Kristine Davidson!  Here's the sketch:

As always I use the sketch as my base and then take off running in my own direction :)  I used the remainders of  my April Creative Kit to do this layout!

Okay before we even talk scrapbooking, let's just marvel at that gorgeous hair! My goodness it was sooooo blonde then!  I hope that happens again this summer! It is still significantly lighter than his siblings.  

I was pretty much out of full pieces of patterned paper from the kit so I worked with scraps and made use of the little die cuts and stickers that were the stars of the kit!  Once I was "done" I knew it needed something else.  That is when I added the stitching to make the bottom circle look like a sun!  My Creative Scrapbook tends to bring out the hand-stitcher in me.  I love that!  

As a reminder, the sketch contest begins today and is located here.  And the kits are available on a limited basis - if you love them get them while you can by going here!

Supplies Used:

Kit: My Creative Scrapbook

White Pen: Uniball Signo

Wood Stars: Studio Calico

14 Sports Layout Ideas

Sports get a lot of attention in my scrapbooking room!  

I have a sports loving family and four kiddos! 

 I am always on the lookout for some fresh ideas. 

 Today I thought I would share a roundup of layouts that include baseball, tennis, swimming, football, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, horseback riding, and bowling!  Now I know there are some missing still but that is a pretty good start!  Check 'em out!

Click on the link below to check these out closer up!

Eat, Sleep, Play Baseball Layout by Christine Meyer

Bowling Layout by Suzanna Lee

Champ Layout by Suzanna Lee

Dream Big Football Layout

Gymnastics Layout by Christine Meyer

Muckdogs Baseball Layout by Christine Meyer

Swimming Team Layout by Christine Meyer

Baseball Layout by Christine Meyer

Swimming Layout by Suzanna Lee

Horseback Riding Layout by Suzanna Lee

Soccer Coach Layout by Christine Meyer

Basketball Layout by Christine Meyer

Swimming Start Layout by Suzanna Lee

Tennis Layout by Christine Meyer

Treasure This Time Tuesday - The 4 year Old

This week's edition of Treasure This Time Tuesday focuses on a very specific part of my four year old's life.  As I document each month, I usually cover several things that they are excited about and experiencing in that month.  But after having a real breakthrough month with this guy, I focused on just one.

For several months Cooper was really struggling.  He was grumpy, mean, and full of tantrums.  In the past he had been arguably the most easygoing (especially at that age) of all my kids.  I was beyond frustrated, we were all beyond frustrated.  I tried every trick in the book.  And finally I went to the store and got some new games and puzzles thinking perhaps a change of pace would help.  We started doing puzzles together and from that day on he was back to my normal Cooper! So now every day we do puzzles, some days we do a lot, some days we do just one or two.  Something about that time to sit, think, and accomplish something does what his brain needs. I will take it!

So after that very long explanation, here is this month's layout for Cooper!

Isn't he a photogenic little guy? He isn't into posed pictures and will goofy smile there but if I catch him playing like I did here, perfection!

I cut the square pieces out of patterned paper and then cut a smaller one to apply on top using foam adhesive.  I did the top ones in different directions to add some interest.  I die cut the puzzle pieces simply to go with the theme!  My title was kind of a play on words.  I started with "You Puzzle Me" and decided to add & time to make it "You & Me Puzzle Time." 

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Echo Park

Stickers: Echo Park, Recollections, Bella Blvd

Middle Kids Layout - My Creative Scrapbook

One day my Middle Kids were in the mood for taking cute pictures with me - so we did!  And this layout documents that fun moment!

This is another layout from the Creative Kit from My Creative Scrapbook this month.  Aren't the flowers just stunning?  I still have some left to play with - definitely going to be making some pretty cards! I really wanted to use the floral paper that I used on the left side, glad I was able to work it into a layout without it being too busy!

I also love the framed die cuts with cute little sayings that came in this kit!  Another stunning kit this month - get your hands on it while you can!

Baby Layout - My Creative Scrapbook

Today I have a fun baby layout to share with you that uses the April Creative Kit from My Creative Scrapbook! As I mentioned in my last post, I really enjoyed building scenes with the die cuts in this line.  In this very square layout, I did a whole bunch of scenes!

I started by cutting out a whole bunch of 3 X 3 squares using the fabulous patterned papers from the kit!  I then added lots of baby pictures!  These were just a mix of pictures that hadn't yet made it onto a layout. I cut those down to 2 3/4 X 2 3/4" In the boxes where I didn't have pictures I began to build scenes - doing some with stickers and die cuts and a few with some fussy cutting!  I kept one thing in common with all of them, they all have clouds, helping to tie the whole thing together!

Because I already used so much color, I opted for a black and white picture in the center!  I used the letter stickers to add a title around it and a few fussy cut words as added sentiments.

Kiwi Lane Guest Designer: Happy Birthday Layout

I am popping back by the Kiwi Lane Designs today for a guest designing spot! 

 I got out the super fun Elements set to create a birthday layout.  One of my favorite things to use Kiwi Lane sets for is to create a different background than I could achieve with just plain patterned paper and today I will show you how I achieved that.

Using the arrow piece I cut out four arrows using Elements Piece 1 and lined the points of them up to create an interesting background on my layout.  I then cut out Elements Piece 4 and used that in the center of all the arrows.  That served as my subtitle area and I created a larger title underneath my focal picture.

I cut out Chevrons using Elements Piece in an opposing color and used those to highlight the arrows and one of the pictures.

Don't you just love the fun you can have with Kiwi Lane Templates!?!

Supplies Used:

Templates: Kiwi Lane Designs

Patterned Paper: Core'dinations

Stickers: Bella Blvd

My Creative Scrapbook Kit Reveal Day!

It's Reveal Day at My Creative Scrapbook and the kits this month are Stunning! 

 I worked with the Creative Kit this month and will be sharing those projects with you over the next few days! I'm itching to try out the Main kit too - you will want to check out the whole project gallery, the projects are just AMAZING!

 Here's what comes in the Creative Kit this month!

April 2015 Creative Kit

You caught a sneak of one of my layouts with the sneak peek day but here it is again!

This was my first creation out of the kit - the gorgeous paper flowers just screamed at me to make a wreath!  Using just them and some foam adhesive I built a circle around my picture.  I always decide I want to add mist after the fact...which is such a pain! But I carefully covered up elements and then added mist drops throughout in coordinating colors.  Without that my background was just a little too stark :)

The second layout I am going to share is another favorite!  I used the die cut pieces to build a scene around my picture!

As I laid out all the elements from the "Chips" pack I knew I wanted to use them to build a scene!  I also added some mist to the background here!  And as my final (but planned step) I added hand-stitched sun rays to my sunshine.  I have been doing more and more hand-stitching lately!  Love the texture it brings out in  my projects!

My Creative Scrapbook is currently accepting new members!

Subscription information can be found here: http://www.mycreativescrapbook.com/kits.htm

We would love it if you would follow us on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Creative-Scrapbook/130352440344752

Easter Layouts

Paper House Productions has the best products for creating holiday layouts!

For a base I used a patterned paper from the Nature Paper Pad.  I topped that with a ten inch white square matted with pink cardstock.  I then cut out a large yellow oval from patterned paper in the Garden Paper Pad.  Both of these paper pads are perfect for creating any kind of spring projects! I used a sheet of the Pink Floral Scrapbook Paper to matte my pictures across the center of the page and over the large yellow egg.

A large Happy Easter 3D Title Sticker was perfect for my title posed above my pictures.

Using the Easter Egg Hunt 3D Stickers and the Butterflies Cork’d Stickers I created a cluster above and below the photographs.

The Cork stickers and 3D Stickers go together really nicely and add great dimension and texture to the layout.  

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Paper House Productions

Cardstock: Core'dinations

Stickers: Paper House Productions

Twine: The Twinery

Tag: Core'dinations

My Creative Scrapbook - Kit Sneaks!

It's SNEAK PEEK time at My Creative Scrapbook!

Thedesigners have been hard at work preparing incredibly inspiring layouts, cards, and projects with the April kits.

We're super excited to share a few a bunch of sneak peeks today at what you have to look forward to!

Have a look at our April Main Kit - I think I am gonna have to get this one the layouts I have seen are just awesome!:

And some Main Kit layouts:

 by Brenda Cazes

by Tracy McLennon

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Have a look at our April Creative Kit: This is the one I played with!

And a couple of Creative Kit layouts:

 by Christine Meyer 

 by Kristin Greenwood

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Next... our April Limited Edition Kit:

And some Limited Edition Kit layouts:

 by Maiko Kosugi

by Sandi Clarkson

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Have a look at our April Album Kit:

by Angel Rodrigue

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As always, this is only a little sneak peek at what's coming in the April kits. The full kit reveal is coming up after Easter on April 6th... be sure to check back then!

Don't forget to reserve your kits.

Please visit MyCreativeScrapbook.com for more information.